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It's time for a replacement truck

8ntw8tn
Explorer
Explorer
Recently someone decided to challenge the theory that two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. When that failed Newton's Laws of Motion became prevalent and the end result was that our truck and trailer were both totaled. As soon as we receive the settlement from the other driver's insurance company(and we feel it's safe to get out and about)we're going to look for replacement units. I was towing with a '04.5 Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 Cummins. The trailer was a Carriage Cameo. The next trailer will be similar and the loaded weight will probably be in the 12-14k area. I'm considering 1) a Ram 3500 with either the 6.7 Cummins or the 5.7 Hemi; 2) Chevy Silverado 3500 with either the 6.6 Duramax or the 6.0 gas motor. It'll be a SRW drive. We only tow about 3000 miles a year; 2000 miles round trip to Texas and back each fall/spring and less that 1000 miles locally during the summer.

I'd be interested in anyone's expereiences with the above power units regarding sufficient torque and power on hills as well as fuel economy. The truck will probably be a 2010-2014 depending on the negotiated price. I'm partial to the diesels but open to the gas models if they would be sufficient.
'08 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax;
'10 Carriage Cameo F35FWS
Det 1 56th SOWg
46 REPLIES 46

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
ACZL wrote:
Lots of good advice and based on what you intend to do and perhaps not mentioned but may do so down the road, opt for a 1 ton SRW w/ the diesel. More than enough power and able to tow up to 15k safely should you decide to get a larger RV. Again, based on your needs, don't think you need anything larger than a DRW IF you ever went w/ a very large coach. Should you want to do that, THEN consider a 4500 and up. Think you'll be very happy w/ the type of truck your looking for.


Well I sure see ZERO reason to go to a 4500. I think I tow heavier than anyone on here and my DRW handles the load GREAT. I tow WestCoast and have been in some insane winds and the truck is imply planted to the ground.


2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
Dennis58 wrote:
Disclaimer: I'm not a RAM fan and never have been.

If I was dragging 14K arounf the country it would only be behind a 3500 DRW truck at a miniumn. I would even look at the 4500, 5500, 6500 HD Chevy trucks.


He said 14k, not 34k Lol.
A dually is firmly overkill, but you must have never driven a class 4-6 truck.
Not daily drivers to put it mildly.
Why not just roll a bobbed class 8 ftw?
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

8ntw8tn
Explorer
Explorer
A few years ago I had the opportunity to tow our trailer with a 3/4 ton Duramax several hundred miles through Oklahoma and Texas and it performed very well. My preference is a 1 ton, SRW or DRW, but I can be equally good with a 3/4 ton truck based on that experience.
'08 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax;
'10 Carriage Cameo F35FWS
Det 1 56th SOWg

ACZL
Explorer
Explorer
Lots of good advice and based on what you intend to do and perhaps not mentioned but may do so down the road, opt for a 1 ton SRW w/ the diesel. More than enough power and able to tow up to 15k safely should you decide to get a larger RV. Again, based on your needs, don't think you need anything larger than a DRW IF you ever went w/ a very large coach. Should you want to do that, THEN consider a 4500 and up. Think you'll be very happy w/ the type of truck your looking for.
2017 F350 DRW XLT, CC, 4x4, 6.7
2018 Big Country 3560 SS
"The best part of RVing and Snowmobiling is spending time with family and friends"
"Catin' in the Winter"

Dennis58
Explorer
Explorer
Disclaimer: I'm not a RAM fan and never have been.

If I was dragging 14K arounf the country it would only be behind a 3500 DRW truck at a miniumn. I would even look at the 4500, 5500, 6500 HD Chevy trucks.

I have a 2019 Chevy 3500HD DRW 4X4 D/Max High Country that is one nice ride with more power than I will ever need. Havn't done much towing yet but I know it will get the job done when I start doing that. Unloaded I get 14 around town and 18 highway.

2012Coleman
Explorer II
Explorer II
I've pulled 12K with a late model 6.4 hemi. Could watch the gas gauge traveling from F to E as it screamed up the hills and terrain changes.
Experience without good judgment is worthless; good judgment without experience is still good judgment!

2018 RAM 3500 Big Horn CTD
2018 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS

GWolfe
Explorer
Explorer
8ntw8tn wrote:
This has been, and continues to be, a moving and shifting target. I started out really considering one of the gas units. But after some of the advice here, and doing some follow-up research of my own, I'm pretty well convinced that I'm staying with a diesel; Ram or Chevy. Whether it's a 3/4 ton or 1 ton (SRW or DRW) remains to be seen. Budget will play a large influence as well as what is actually available when we're able to actually start looking to buy. I really do appreciate all the information that has been passed my way. It's really helpful to be able to benefit from someone else's knowledge/experience. Thanks!


I'm sure it's been said in here somewhere but when looking at 3/4 ton diesels watch the payload ratings, some are under 2,000lbs.
2005 Sun-Lite Eagle
2011 Silverado

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
larry barnhart wrote:
what about the pump GM is using. Any issues? chevman


I have not heard a negative comment on the Denso pump.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

larry_barnhart
Explorer
Explorer
what about the pump GM is using. Any issues? chevman
chevman
2019 rockwood 34 ft fifth wheel sold
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy



KSH 55 inbed fuel tank

scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors
FMCA # F479110

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Ok this make you feel better? I have not heard of a single 2019 or 2020 RAM OR Ford Bosch pump failure.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
4x4ord wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Bionic Man wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
ZERO CP4 warranty claims yet. The 14's seem to have more issues than 15 and up.


How do you know there have been ZERO warranty claims?


Have you heard of any? If there had been I guarantee you the haters would have brought it up.


From what I understand Ford has almost ZERO warranty claims as well.:B


I have not heard of any Ford issues for at least the last two model years.

Sounds like Bosch May have gotten it right.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Bionic_Man
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Bionic Man wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
ZERO CP4 warranty claims yet. The 14's seem to have more issues than 15 and up.


How do you know there have been ZERO warranty claims?


Have you heard of any? If there had been I guarantee you the haters would have brought it up.


There is a HUGE difference between hearing about something, and it happening. You only hear about a tiny fraction of warranty claims. And honestly, you probably hear more from the squeaky wheel if something wasn't covered.

No way you can make a statement of ZERO claims.

And no, I'm not afraid of the CP4. I have one. And it wouldn't stop me from buying a new RAM. But it is stupid to claim there have been no failures because you haven't heard of any.
2012 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW CC 4x4 Max Tow, Cummins HO, 60 gallon RDS aux fuel tank, Reese 18k Elite hitch
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 Cummins HO NV5600 with Smarty JR, Jacobs EB (sold)
2002 Gulf Stream Sea Hawk 29FRB with Honda EV6010

4x4ord
Explorer III
Explorer III
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Bionic Man wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
ZERO CP4 warranty claims yet. The 14's seem to have more issues than 15 and up.


How do you know there have been ZERO warranty claims?


Have you heard of any? If there had been I guarantee you the haters would have brought it up.


From what I understand Ford has almost ZERO warranty claims as well.:B
2023 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Bionic Man wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
ZERO CP4 warranty claims yet. The 14's seem to have more issues than 15 and up.


How do you know there have been ZERO warranty claims?


Have you heard of any? If there had been I guarantee you the haters would have brought it up.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD